It will be clear this week about the future of the Minister of Community Development in KwaZulu-Natal, Ms. Mbali Shinga, who was convicted of ignoring party orders.
The NFP will issue the sentence to be given to Ms. Shinga on Wednesday. This was expressed by the Acting Secretary General of the NFP, Mr. Sunset Xaba, in a letter addressed to the members of the party.
Ms Shinga had been facing the disciplinary committee, after she ignored the party’s order to support the motion of no confidence in the leadership of the Prime Minister of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr. Thami Ntuli, which was submitted by MKP.
The NFP is the one that does not appoint a king in the KwaZulu-Natal Legislative Assembly. Xaba said in an interim report, he was convicted of all the charges against him.
“The decision of the committee clearly shows the seriousness of the crimes they have committed. The decision is a lesson for those who do not want to follow the law. All members must respect the law of the party, it does not matter what position they hold.”
Xaba said the committee is expected to issue a sentence on Wednesday.
“Members of the committee in charge of the day-to-day operations of the NFP, are urged to prepare for the execution of the sentence. They are urged to continue to lead the group carefully.”
An inside source said that it is expected that the NFP will expel Ms. Shinga from being a member of the party, which will cost her the position of Minister.
According to the source, NFP is planning to replace its leader, Mr. Ivan Barnes, in Ms. Shinga’s place.
“They already tried to remove Ms. Shinga and put in Barnes but they failed. They will try again.”
According to the source, Ms. Shinga will challenge her dismissal.
“From the beginning when he was charged, he has been complaining that the leadership of the party does not follow the party’s goals. This matter will end up in court. What I can tell you is that it will be difficult in court. The NFP usually loses cases when it tries to expel people who have been appointed to positions.”
Ms. Shinga’s dismissal could jeopardize the ruling coalition government in the province.
The exit of the NFP from the provincial government would leave the coalition parties with 40 of the 80 seats in the Legislative Assembly.
The leadership of the NFP has long announced their withdrawal from the provincial government, even ordering Ms. Shinga to resign from the position of MEC.
Until today, Ms. Shinga has never resigned and continues to vote with the coalition parties in the Legislative Assembly. Ms Shinga is also the Chairperson of NFP in the province.